Encouraging Me Today...

Lily & Val

recitethis.com

Dear Friend, He's always watching...

today is a very GOOD day for our family.

full of hope, joyful anticipation, and extreme gratitude after a long season of waiting.

while i'm singing today because i'm so very happy, i KNOW He's been watching me through each and every season - even through my doubts and fears.

He watches you too, friend.

Motivate Me Monday :: Joy Seeker

"J O Y

 is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, 

the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, 

and the determined choice to praise God in every situation." 

~ Kay Warren

Dear Friend Carrying a Heavy Burden,

you are not alone.

draw near to god and He will draw near to you.

He is near to the brokenhearted.

He is working things out for your GOOD.

He will carry you through...and deliver you from all your fears...

Dear Friend Stuck in the Sea of Uncertainty,

In the midst of a continued uncertain journey ahead, we wait, we hope, we pray...



Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
 
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
 
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
 
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
 
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .
 
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
 
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You 
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .

Dear Dis-Contented Friend, I've learned a cure for the grumpy heart...

grati·tude

noun

~ a feeling of thankful appreciation for favors or benefits received; thankfulness ~

card by Valerie Kiser

One thing I have learned over and over in my life is the minute I start feeling dis-content, grumpy or generally down in the dumpy slumps, I need only change my thinking into thoughts of gratitude about whatever has got me down.  It's amazing how I instantly get a fresh perspective when I simply make that intentional mental shift.

In the midst of being irritated at my children's neediness or mis-behavior; I must remind myself the sweet adorable things they say and do most of the time, be thankful for their health, safety, and their mere presence that so many other childless couples yearn deeply for. 

When I feel discontent about the state of the decor (or lack there of) my house; I charge myself to be thankful that I have a home to begin with. So many people loose theirs due to natural disaster, or to financial crisis.

Instead of focusing on what my husband doesn't do; remember what he does; he is faithful, hard-working to provide for our family, engaging, caring, deep thinker... (I could go on...and I should more often)

Gratitude doesn't always come naturally, it's a choice, but something we should choose in all things, even if we're not in a season of abundance...

1 Thes. 5:18:
 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

What are you choosing to be grateful for today?